Drier for grains or seeds.



J. G. SIMMONS.

DRIER FOR GRAINS OR SEEDS. APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 1 1912.

' 1,043,158, Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

f M M XAMWM COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH CO.,WASH1NGTON. B.C.

J. G. SIMMONS.

DRIER FOR GRAINS 0R SEEDS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1912.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J C. SIMMONS, OF SHELBY, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO FREDERICK E.LEWELLYN, OF SHELBY, MICHIGAN.

DRIER FOR GRAINS OR SEEDS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

Application filed February 1, 1912. Serial No. 674,666.

Shelby, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDriers for Grains or Seeds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in driers for grains or seeds,such as beans, being especially adapted to the drying of beans.

The objects of this invention are: First,

- ity. Second, to provideimproved means for distributing beans or seedsof various description in a thin layer or stream whereby they will berapidly and effectively dried. Third, to provide improved means of distributing beans or seeds in a thin layer or stream and circulatingheated air in contact therewith. Fourth, to provide improved means offorcing a circulation of air into contact with a layer of beans or seedsthat is being effectively advancedto thoroughly dry the same, or toheater to cool the same,

as the case may be. I

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies ofconstruction and operation will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and mechanismsdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure comprising a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of a drier embodying the features of myinvention. Fig. II is a vertical, detail'central sectional elevationthrough the same, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. III.Fig. III is a horizontal sectional view taken on a line corresponding toline 83 of Fig. II, showing details of construction and means foroscillating the main drum of the drier.

In the drawing,sectional views are taken looking in the direction of thelittle arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar numerals ofreference refer to similar parts throughout the several views. j

, Consider ng the numbered parts of the drawing, the main frame is madeup of corner posts 1 and connecting cross pieces 2 at the bottom andcross pieces 3 at thetop. A hollow base 4 is provided, containing aburher 5 of any suitable description supplied with fuel by pipe 6. Thebase is suitably opened to admit the necessary air for maintainingcombustionthrough the drier. A cross plate 7, perforated at the center,is above theburner and a baffle plate 8 is disposed above the centralopening to distribute the heat laterally and prevent too direct acurrent. from the flame of the burner. The base has a top 9 with centralperforations 10 for delivering the heated air upwardly therefrom.

The outer shell 11 of the drier extends down about the base 4 andsubstantially contacts with the same; Disposed between the centralhollow cylinder or shell 12 and the outer shell 11 is a spiral conveyer13 of perforated sheet metal 13, extending from top to bottom of thismain drum of the drier with a very gradual descent, the succeedingspirals being two or three inches apart. The central shell 12 has aperforated bottom 14, which is journaled on the vertical pin 15 which iscarriedon the top 9 of the base 4.

Lateral perforations 16 lead radially in every direction from thecentral shell 12 into the space between the spirals for delivering acurrent of heated air laterally directly into contact with a layer ofbeans or any seeds or grain that maybe advancing upon the spiraliconveyers The top 17 of the central shell 12 is imperforate. A journalpin 18 extends upwardly therefrom. A cross bar 19 secured to the mainframe is provided with a journal bearing'20 at its center toreceive thesaid journal pin 18. It will therefore be seen that the main drum of thedrier is pivotally supported-at top and bottom and is free to oscillateon its vertical axis. A feed hopper 21 delivers into the spiralconveyers at the top and a discharge spout 22 leads out from the bottomof the spiral conveyer. The top of the shell is open and a rotary fan 23for drawing air up through the drier is journaled at 24-on the top bar19 and is driven by beveled gears 2526 from the shaft 27, which isdriven by the pulley 28. Any suitable suction fan can be provided forthe purpose and serve very effectively.

The upper endof the shell 11 is embraced by adome 30, having a skirting31 extending down around the same to increase the efficiency of the fanand to conduct the moist air away from the drier. This, however, is nota necessity but a great advantage.

On the opposite end of the shaft 27 from the pulley 28, is a pulley 32over which passes a belt 32 to a pulley 33 carried on a shaft'3tsupported in suitable boxings on the posts of the mainframe. A disk 35is carried by shaft 34 and drives the pitman 36, which is connected by awrist pin 37 thereto. The pitman connects at 38 to a reciprocating bar39 which is supported in guides 4041 on the posts of the main frame.This reciprocating bar 39' is connected by a link 42, see Fig. III, tothe shell 11 to oscillate the same. A hoop 45 is disposed around theshell and the link 42 is connected by pivot 43 to the reciprocating bar39 and by pivot 44 to the hoop 45. It will thus be seen that when thepulley 28 is driven by suitable power that the fan will be operated tocreate a suction above the drum, and that through the connectionsreferred to, the drum will be oscillated back and forth by thereciprocating bar 39. Any seeds or grains delivered to the conveyerthrough the hopper 21 will be immediately spread out, owing to theshaker effect, on the thin heated metal plates of the conveyer and owingto the pressure of the heated air within and the suction of the fanabove, a current of hot dry air will be drawn over the thin stream ofbeans or grain as it is advanced step by step from the oscillation ofthe drum from top to bottom of the conveyer 13. As the thin stream ofbeans or seeds is constantly meeting with a current of fresh heated dryair, it 1s very clear that the moisture will be very rapidly absorbedtherefrom and the heated and moist air will be passed out at the top andfresh heated dryair will be delivered to the thin stream of beans orseeds at the end of its course so that the same will be completelydried, and, at the same time, the dry air circulating through will passon to the more moist stream of beans or seeds above until it becomesthoroughly saturated before it is amount of heat and energy expended insecuring the finaldrying of the beans or seeds that may be introducedinto the drier.

The structure can be greatly. modified without departing from myinvention. Any

, source of heat will be effective in delivering heated air through theapparatus through the thin layer of beans or grain. If the air is merelydry it will be somewhat effective,

but, of course, the heat greatly increases .3 the action owingto thefact that the'heated air passing up through the device heats the sheetmetal beneath and thus heats the contents and also circulates heated airabove the layer in the conveyer and greatly facilitates the drying. Alsoby this means the heated air is delivered to all parts of the apparatusin a dry condition, and circulates rapidly up and out of the apparatus,doing its work effectively. 7

The drier, as it is illustrated, is very effective. However, the samecan be made use of as a cooling device by the circulation of cold airthrough the apparatus, the same being forced through by any means, ordrawn through by suction means.

The device will be quite effective if air" be delivered to the bottomonly of the spiral conveyer and circulated up through it, but it will beobserved that in my special construction, I deliver dry .air' to theentire 7 1. In. a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drumcomprising an'outer cylindrical shell open at 1ts top and a centralvertical cylindrical shell open at the; bottom and perforated radiallyat frequent intervals; a perforated spiral conveyer connecting the saidshells and extending from top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopperfeeding to the upper end of said'conveyer, and a discharge spoutdelivering from the bottom thereof; pivotal supports for said drier drumon its vertical axis; crank and pitinan connections to the outside ofsaid drum to oscillate the drum on its vertical.

axis; a rotary fanabove the said drier drum to draw the airtherethrough; a suitable dome embracing the top of said drum, with adischarge opening at the top; a hollow base beneath the said apparatusopening 2. In a drier, the combination of a main. frame; a drier drumcomprising an outer cylindrical shell open at itstop and a central'vertical cylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radiallyatofrequent.

intervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to" the upper endof said conveyer, anda discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis;connections to oscillate the drum on its vertical axis; a rotary fanabove the saiddrier drum to draw the air therethrough; a sultable domeembracing the top of said drum, with a discharge opening at the top; ahollow base beneath the said apparatus opening into the bottom thereof;and means for delivering heated air to said base upwardly through thecentral shell outwardly into the spiral conveyer along its entirelength, all coacting substantially as described and for the purposespecified.

3. In a drier, the combination of .main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a cen tral verticalcylindrical shell open at its bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis;connections to oscillate the drum on its vertical axis; a rotary fanabove the said drier drumto draw the air therethrough; a suitable domeembracing the top of said drum, with a discharge opening at the top; andmeans for delivering heated air upwardly through the central shelloutwardly into the spiral conveyer along its entire length, all coactingsubstantially as described and for the purpose specified.

t. Ina drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spoutdelivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis;connections to oscillate the drLun on its vertical axis; a rotary fanabove the said drier drum to draw the air therethrough; and a suitabledome embracing the top of said drum, with a discharge opening at thetop; all coacting substantially as described and for the purposespecified.

5. In a drier; the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis; andconnections to oscillate the drum on its vertical axis, all coactingsubstantially as described and for the purpose specified.

6. In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis;crank and pitman connections to the outside of said drum to oscillatethe drum on its vertical axis; a hollow base beneath the said apparatusopening into the bottom thereof; a burner in the said base with suitableair supply openings; and deflectors for delivering the heated productsof combustion upwardly through the central shell outwardly into thespiral conveyer along its entire length, coacting substantially asdescribed and for the purpose specified.

7 In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at its bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; pivotal supports for said drier drum on its vertical axis;connections to oscillate the drum on its vertical axis; and means fordelivering heated air upwardly through the central shell outwardly intothe spiral conveyer along its entire length, all coacting substantiallyas described and for the purpose specified.

8. In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a cen tral verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals; a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extendingfrom top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper endof said conveyer, and a discharge spout delivering from the bottomthereof; and means for oscillating said drier drum on its vertical axis,coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

9. In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom, with apertures deliveringlaterally;

a spiral conveyer connecting the said shells and extending from top tobottom thereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper end of'saidconveyer, and a dischar e spout delivering from the bottom thereof; andmeans for oscillating said drier drum on its vertical axis, all coaotingsubstantially as described and for the purpose specified.

10. In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom; a spiral conveyer connecting thesaid shells and extending from top to bottom thereof; a delivery hopperfeeding to the upper end of said conveyer, and a discharge spoutdelivering from the bottom thereof; means for circulating air in saiddrier; and means for oscillating said drier drum on its vertical axis,all coacting substantially as describedand for the purpose specified.

11. In a drier,the combination of a main frame; a drier drum comprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a central verticalcylindrical shell open at the bottom and perforated radially at frequentintervals;a perforated spiral conveyer conneoting the said shells andextending from top to bottom thereof; a deliveryhopper feedlng to theupper end of said conveyer,

and a discharge spout delivering from the bottom thereof; and means foroscillating said drier drum on its vertical axis, coacting substantiallyas described and for the purpose specified.

12. In a drier, the combination of a main frame; a drier drumcomprisingan outer cylindrical shell open at its top and a oentralvertical cylindrical shell open at'the bottom; a perforated spiralconveyer connecting the said shells and extending from top to bottomthereof; a delivery hopper feeding to the upper end of said conveyer, sV

JESSE o. SIMMONS. at Witnesses: I

E. W. 'DE HAVEN, W. C. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing" the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 5

